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MP urges probe into KiwiRail tendering

Monday 26 Nov 2012 1:40 p.m.

Labour MP Clare Curran (file)

Dunedin South Labour MP Clare Curran has asked Parliament's public sector watchdog to urgently investigate KiwiRail's buying decisions which have led to the sale of part of its Dunedin workshops and closure of the rest.

Ninety of 115 workers lost their jobs at the 130-year-old Hillside workshops earlier this month when KiwiRail sold the casting shop to Australian company Bradken.

Kiwirail said there was not enough work to keep the workshops going, despite buying locomotives and 500 wagons from overseas in recent years.

Chairman John Spencer has said the decision was entirely the board's and there was no Government pressure. The Government has also rejected interference claims.